AR2414:03
The Anthropology and Archaeology of Australia
| Townsville, Cairns | HECS Band 1 |
39 hours workshops/seminars. Semester 1. From 2004, the lecture material will be delivered on-line using Learn JCU (Blackboard). Students will attend on campus guided learning sessions (workshops) for two hours per week (contact hours for the semester will be 26 hours).
Staff: Dr R Henry, Dr S Greer (Townsville campus); Assoc. Professor J Campbell, Dr M Wood (Cairns campus).
This subject considers the development, practice and findings of anthropological and archaeological research on Australia. Following a critical overview of the evidence of human colonisation and settlement of Australia and its cultural and linguistic diversity, the subject provides an integrated exploration of a number of key areas of research in the two disciplines under the headings: ritual; cosmology – beliefs in time and space; colonial encounters; authentic pasts/authentic presents; leadership and power; kinship and country.
Learning Objectives:
- to promote an appreciation of the complexity and diversity of Indigenous Australian social and cultural life through time;
- to provide an understanding of the implications of current findings and theoretical perspectives in Australian anthropology and archaeology;
- to provide students with a framework in which they are able to assess the value of an interdisciplinary approach to a number of key areas of research on Australia;
- to encourage critical analysis of anthropological and archaeological approaches to understanding Indigenous Australian societies.
Assessment by seminar participation/presentation and defence (20%); class test (30%); essay (50%).